What are the risk in getting breast implants?

Generally safe: Breast augmentation is generally a safe procedure. Like any other surgery there are risks of complications including bleeding, infection, breast symmetry, capsullar contracture, and implant rupture.

Implants are safe: Breast implants are one of the most well studied medical devices the fda has ever approved. The silicone implant scare in the 80's was not founded on science, but hysteria. The truth is, breast implants are very safe. That being said, any surgery has risks, and the general risks of breast implants and the surgery to place them are an important conversation that you should have with your surgeon.

Many: There are many risks involved in breast implant surgery. Those associated with the surgery, and later complications of breast implant rupture or capsular contracture. This should be a conversation you have with a board certified plastic surgeon. Even with risks the vast majority of breast implant recipients are happy.

Few: Like all surgery there is a risk of infection or bleeding, but this is extremely low. I have had one infected implant in over 15 years in practice. There are also risks from anesthesia but these are rare. Implants themselves have risks of contracture or hardening, and malpositioning. Overall a very low risk surgery.

Like any surgery...: ...Infection, bleeding etc. Also, more specific to breast aug are: capsular contracture, displacement, asymmetry, loss of feeling, etc.

More surgeries: I agree with dr. Sisto. I would add that breast implants may make mammograms more difficult and require special views. After implant surgery there is significant risk of secondary surgery on the breast do to implant problems such as rupture, contracture, displacement, asymmetry, and subsequent procedures are usually not covered by insurance.

Other problems: Women ill from breast implants fall into several categories including silicone toxicity (rare and due to hla types), chemical toxicity (common) and biotoxicity (common). Also low grade infection due to biofilms. Immune, endocrine, and neurological problems also occur due to toxicity. See www.Thenakedtruthaboutbreastimplants.Com.

Colonization : There is a big difference between colonization ( presence of bacterial on a surface or tissue) va active infection. Both processes may cause disease. For example there are bacteria in your mouth that are not causing infection. However prolonged presence may cause plaque. Unless active infection is present we do not generally recommend antibiotics.

FDA POSITION: You may also want to review the fda position statement on this subject: http://www.Fda.Gov/medicaldevices/productsandmedicalprocedures/implantsandprosthetics/breastimplants/default.Htm.

Many: Deflation, contracture, loss of nipple sensation, malposition, drug reaction, infection, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, death, scarring, poor cosmetic result, extrusion. Practically speaking the first three are the most likely with everything else farr less common.

Speak with Surgeon: Bleeding, infection, need for more surgery, damage to surrounding structures, imperfect cosmesis, implant displacement, scar, wound healing problems, breast sensation changes, capsular contracture, breast tissue thinning, and other unforseen consequences.